The Star Phoenix July 19, 2013 - The number of people in the province receiving employment insurance (EI) benefits in May was unchanged from April, according to the latest Statistics Canada report.

The number of Saskatchewan workers receiving (EI) benefits was 10,900 in May, virtually the same as April and down slightly from 11,080 a year ago.

In Saskatchewan men (7,120) accounted for almost two-thirds of EI beneficiaries in May compared with 3,770 women.

Nationally, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits in May was down 2.4 per cent to 508,500. while most provinces saw a decrease in the number of beneficiaries, there was little change in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Erin Weir, an economist with the United Steelworkers, in a release.

"Rising unemployment explains why the number of EI recipients did not decrease in Saskatchewan," said Weir said the federal government is cutting back on EI benefits too quickly given that the unemployment rate across the country has remained high.

People seeking EI benefits must first file a claim and the number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.